Well, I see Vernon is continuing to win friends and influence people!  Petunia is embarrassed for him, is Dudley?  Seeing the boggart Dementor may remind him of how Harry saved him all over again.

nice. vernon is a douche.

Author's Response: He really, really is. I wrote him, and I STILL feel compelled to smack him. Lol.

This is really interesting; I'm excited to read the next chapter!  You may want to revise your story summary--the syntax is a bit odd and confusing.  I really can't imagine Petunia holding up under all this stress with absolutely nothing to do...will she ask for anything from Hestia?  I dunno, crosswords?  a book?  a radio that will pick up the rebel station?  I would go mad, not to mention stir-crazy.

Yeah, I know how Petunia feels...when I'm sick and can't do much, I get stir-crazy from lying around in the bed all day.  The time passes so slowly, and days seem to take 48 hours instead of 24.I think she's right to hide the wizard robes from Vernon; he wouldn't take it well at all!

gads, life being protected is harsh. I'd go crazy if I couldn't go outside even to do a bit of gradening.  

Petunia's reaction to the letter was stronger than I'd have thought. Even Vernon showed signs of caring. Maybe that's hopful.

Ah, it's so short!  Why is it so short?  I was just getting into it, too!  Think of it as a compliment.  It's good, so I want more.  I'm interested to see if the Dursleys will get connected to the Wizarding Wireless--it would be fun to see thier reactions to the Potterwatch broadcasts!

Oh, a story centered on Petunia. I like how you have her in this - very canon. Poor Hestia and Dedalus, I knew they wouldn't have been able to stand them for very long.

I like this story wery mush ( and the prequel as well). I like the tone (hope you know what I mean), the slow pace. It is indeed very interesting. Glad to know there will be updates often

Its interesting to read Petunia's POV and think about what the Dursley's experence that last year was like.  I'm going to interpret Dudley's going upstairs without a word as a sign that he cares for Harry.  Looking forward to the next chapter.    

You know, I always wondered what would have happened to the Dursleys when they went into hiding...This looks like it will be an interesting "what if" for them.  And poor Dudley!  After being such a prat to Harry for all those years, to finally start to see him as family after being saved from those Dementors.  I really felt sorry for him when he was asking his parents why Harry wouldn't be coming with them in the series.  I hope that Dudley will get a small chance to shine in his own right in your story!Looking forward to the next chapters...

It's good to see Petunia be strong.

What Vernon is doing is abusive.  He withdrew his affections and tries to control who Petunia sees.  I hope Petunia gets some help when it's all over.  She has been abused so long that she probably need therapy.

Vernon is going to be very lucky if he escapes this year without somebody turning him into something!    I guess the Christmas spirit only carried him so far...but he's only got himself to blame.  If he wasn't so persistently freezing Petunia out, she wouldn't be so eager to invite Hestia over to spend time with her.  The more he starves her for human interaction and affection, the more she's going to turn to others--and in this case, the "others" are perforce going to be members of the Wizarding community.Still, I continue to applaud Petunia's growth as an individual and hope that she and Hestia have a very nice time together.  If Vernon leaves her once this is all over with, maybe Hestia will let Petunia move in with her while she gets back on her feet in the aftermath.  Now there's a whole other story...

I do like your realism as well. In your story it seems Petunia married Vernon to be as far away as possible from such thing as magic. And as always this only works as long as both of them share their opinion about magic. So I am glad that she's now making other choices, wether he likes it or not.

I look  forward to this story.  I thought about it off and on what was their life like during hiding.  I think that you are writing about this in a realistic manner. 

You know, that was probably the most conversation that Dudley and Petunia have had with one another since they were moved to the safehouse!  I'm glad that Dudley didn't bat an eyelash at the magical communication between his mum and Hestia, and maybe they can all start playing chess together.  I always thought that in the future, Dudley would marry and have a kid who turned out to have magic in him or her as well!

I liked it, a nice light-hearted chapter... and so true to real life.  My mother in law knows less about computers than I, and my seven year old seems to know more than me!  LOL!

These chapters were absolutely delightful.  And, I get the idea that Dudley will soon follow in his mother's footsteps in accepting more fully the friendships he could have in the wizarding world. 

What a cool idea for the chess set!  I'm so glad that Petunia is becoming closer with Hestia, she needs someone to talk to and doesn't really have anyone in the house anymore.  And the game will help keep her from feeling so stir-crazy all the time.  I wonder if the Wizarding chess pieces will start to get jealous?  Maybe it won't be so bad for them to be played with by Muggles after all... 

These two ladies should wind up as room mates at some point.  They are both learning from each other and enjoy each other's company.

I like the way Petunia is thinking.  I suspect her attitude will hold her in good stead.

You know, I see something coming about from a friendship between these two.  I think that these days will bring about a goodly friendship that has the chance of transcending the magic/muggle barrier.  As Petunia grows as a person, and your story has her doing just that, she is aware that there is more in this heaven and earth than just what she can see with her own two eyes.  She also starts to find that having magic does not make one evil or a freak.  I hope she continues to learn and evolve into a person that can admit to herself that Lily was what she was, and that she can be friends with a witch without qualms.  This story is very well done, my dear.  Celebrations for you - and a few chocolate mini's too.  Sara

I am still enjoying very mush reading your story. I lover the "mood" and all the little details.

All those batteries!  I thought of the Energizer Bunny when I read that--"it just keeps going...and going...and going."    That Game Boy will be going for years!  Thankfully, they shouldn't have to stay in hiding that long.  Also glad to see that Vernon was able to thaw out a little for Christmas; maybe it will become a habit for him.  Like the Grinch, his tiny little heart will swell and no one will sing mean songs about him anymore.  Well, we can hope.